Found guilty, 11 July 1916, of breach of March discipline: awarded 168 hours' Field Punishment No 2.

Reported missing in action, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 2 September 1917, pronounced fate as 'killed in action, 19 July 1916'.

Red Cross File No 670412 has statement, 28250 Sergeant H.L. HARRISON, 53rd Bn, 28 April 1919: 'Referring to 3273A Pte J.D. Cairns. "D" Coy. 53rd Bttn. I was in the action of 19.7.16 at Fleurbaix. I saw Cairns lying on the ground but am not certain whether it was between our first and second lines or in "No Man's Land". He appeared to be dead.'

Second statement, 3235A, R.J. VASSETT, 53rd Bn, 12 February 1917: 'I saw him wounded in the body at Fleurbaix on 19-7-16. He asked me to dress him; we were charging at the time and I could not stop. I did not seem a bad wound. The shell hole was about mid-way in No Mans (sic) Land, and we had to retire later on. I do not know what became of him as I started on again as soon as I got my wind.' Note on file: 'Informant was unsatisfactory in that he would not give further details.'